Sunday, 21 June 2015

Who Wrote There's Something About That Name

Bill and Gloria Gaither are the authors and composers of this beautiful song, "Jesus, There's Something About That Name". They composed this song in 1970 when Bill was 34 years old and Gloria was 28 years old.

It was composed after loss of grandparents and onset of their own parenthood. We can only speculate as to what was going on in their minds at this difficult and challenging time.

Jesus is the name that billions of people in this world turn to when they face all sorts of challenges. Christians going through wars such as the war in the Middle East turn to this name for safety. Where else would they go when going through such crises that they have no control over but to Master, Savior, Jesus.

Bill and Gloria Gaither

When people are on their deathbeds they turn to this name. Jesus is the savior to them as they face their end.

Even those that have few problems can turn to him to praise Him for all the blessings that they are experiencing. There is indeed something about that name.

Kings and kingdoms shall pass away.
But there's something about that name.

There Is Something About That Name Lyrics

Below are the lyrics of this beautiful hymn:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaimKings and kingdoms will all pass away,But there's something about that name.Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,But there's something about that name.

Below is a video showing 3ABN campmeeting congregation singing, "Something About That Name" led by Danny Shelton.

Saturday, 20 June 2015

There is A Balm in Gilead Song History

There is a Balm in Gilead is one of the most famous Black American negro spirituals. There have been various versions of this spiritual over the years and first appearance of this spiritual in its present form is uncertain. Washington Glass included it in his hymn "The Sinners Cure" in 1854 and attributed it to himself but it is definitely not his.

There is a balm in Gilead

It appears to draw its inspiration from Jeremiah chapter 8 v. 22: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there on healing for the wounds of my people?". In this spiritual the balm is spiritual medicine to deal with the sins of God's people.

There is A Balm in Gilead Lyrics

Below are there is a balm in Gilead lyrics and video.

Chorus :

There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.(Chorus) If you cannot sing like angels, If you can’t preach like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus, And say He died for all.(Chorus)

Shall We Gather At the River Hymn Story

The author of this beautiful hymn is American poet and music composer Robert Lowry (1826-1899). This traditional Christian hymn was actually titled 'Hanson Place' but is now popularly named 'Shall We Gather at the River' or 'At the River'. Hanson Place Baptist Church in Brooklyn is the church where Robert Lowry served as a minister of the word of God.

Higher Ground Hymn Story

Johnson Oatman Jr (1856-1922) is the author of this prayer gospel song.The music to the words of the song was added by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The author is reported to have written about 3,000 songs from 1892 to 1922 when he died.His songs were in demand by gospel musicians of his day including Charles Gabriel, William James Kirkpatrick and Edwin Excell.

Higher Ground is a prayer song that seems to have been inspired by Philippians 3:14 -"I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

Johnson Oatman Jr - Higher Ground hymn

Higher Ground (Lord Plant My Feet On Higher Ground) Video

Below is a video of Christian Edition singing this hymn.

Higher Ground Lyrics

Below are the words or lyrics of Higher Ground (I am pressing on the upward way) hymn and

1.I’m pressing on the upward way,New heights I’m gaining every day;Still praying as I onward bound,“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and let me standBy faith on Canaan’s tableland;A higher plane than I have found,Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.2My heart has no desire to stayWhere doubts arise and fears dismay;Though some may dwell where these abound,My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.3I want to live above the world,Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;For faith has caught the joyful sound,The song of saints on higher ground.4I want to scale the utmost heightAnd catch a gleam of glory bright;But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

Here is a link to a post that links to most of the songs shared on this blog.

Who Wrote The Gospel Song In The Garden

I come to the garden alone was composed in 1912 by C Austin Miles(1868-1946), a pharmacist by profession.

I come to the garden alone has divided opinions among Christians. It is loved and loathed in equal measure in the Christian community. Those who oppose this hymn think that it is too erotic and egocentric.

The History Behind I Come to the Garden Alone/In the Garden.

C Austin Miles says the inspiration for this hymn came to him in March 1912 when he was drawn to John 20-1-18. This is the story of the meeting between Jesus and Mary Magdalene soon after his resurrection.

He says as he read this chapter he felt as if he was part of the scene as Mary knelt before Jesus and addressed him as "Rabboni".

He says that, "My hands were resting in the Bible while I stared at the light blue wall. As the light faded I seemed to be standing at the entrance of a garden, looking down a gently winding path, shaded by olive branches. He then describes the arrival of Mary, Peter, and John as they gathered at the tomb, followed by the appearance of Jesus.

He then states, " I awakened in full light, gripping the Bible, with muscles tense and nerves vibrating. Under the inspiration of this vision I wrote as quickly as the words could be formed the poem exactly as it has appeared".

Therefore it is on the basis of this "vision" that the author came up with the words of this hymn. It has nothing to do with anything erotic.

The songs owes its popularity to two musicians, Homer Rodeheaver and Virginia Asher of the Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns of the early twentieth century.

Popular Musicians Who Have Sang In the Garden.

This is a very popular song and was a favorite of Elvis Presley. It is in some respects one of Elvis Presley's gospel songs as he helped in exposing this song to the youth of his day. Elvis Presley included this song on his gospel album 'How Great Thou Art'.

Johny Cash also popularised it further when it was included posthumously in his 5 CD box set Cash Unearthed in November 2003

Reggie and Ladye Love Smith

Below is a video of Ladye Love Smith singing a well known great Christian gospel song, 'I come to the garden alone' or its real title 'In the garden'. Ladye Love Smith and her husband Reggie are regular musicians on the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming series.

In The Garden Lyrics / I come To The Garden Alone Lyrics

Below are the lyrics of this gospel hymn, 'In the Garden' or 'I Come To The Garden alone.

The video below brings to us songs that were sung during a concert during the Give Me The Bible evengelistic seminar by veteran evangelist Kenneth Cox. The songs include, 'On One More Valley', 'The Man in the Sky', 'He Chose Me', 'Beautiful Life', 'In His Hands', His Eye is on The Sparrow' and 'When I Come To The End". The musicians appearing in this video are Joe Pearle and Donna Klein

Let Us Break Bread Together Story

'Let Us Break Bread Together' follows in the tradition of most negro spirituals in its simplicity in both words and tune. Negro spirituals were mostly composed by black American slaves with no western training in music. Some scholars believe that the slaves simply added words to African traditional folk tunes they had left behind in Africa.

This hymn or spiritual has found use among young people as it is easy to accompany it with acoustic guitars and therefore lends itself to a freer form of worship. It has also gradually found acceptance among the older Christians as well. This is clearly shown by its inclusion in many hymn books and albums such as the late 1970s album The Old Rugged cross by long-standing and revered gospel singer George Beverly Shea.

This song is mainly used during communion services. It reminds us of our spiritual food and drink presented through the bread and wine during holy communion.

All Glory, Laud and Honor hymn was written by St Theodulf of Orleans while imprisoned in the cloisters of Angers, France in 820. It was originally written in Latin under the title, 'Gloria, laus et honor'. The English version is a translation by John Mason Neale.

Although sung at other times this hymn is usually sung as a Palm Sunday hymn. It beautifully captures the spontaneous joy which greeted the King of Kings as he triumphantly rode into Jerusalem

It is based on Matthew 21:1-11 although reference to 'palm' follows the Biblical version of John's Gospel since both in the gospels of Matthew and Mark the crowd use branches from the trees.

All Glory, Laud and Honor hymn lyrics:-

Refrain:
All glory, laud, and honor
to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's Name comest,
the King and Blessed One. Refrain

The company of angels
are praising thee on high;
and mortal men and all things
created make reply. Refrain

The people of the Hebrews
with palms before thee went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before thee we present. Refrain

To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. Refrain

Thou didst accept their praises;
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest
thou good and gracious King. Refrain

All Glory, Laud and Honor Hymn

Below is the King's College cambridge singing, All Glory, Laud and Honor hymn

All Hail The Power of Jesus Name Hymn Story

Folks, 'All Hail The Power of Jesus Name' hymn is one of the most well known hymns in Christianity. It is sung in almost all the major Christian denominations and found in most hymns.

Edward Perronet, a Frenchman who settled in England in 1680, is the author of this hymn. His father was vicar of Shoreham parish church from 1728 to 1785 and was known as trusted adviser to the Wesleys. Edward followed John Wesley on his journey and eventually he became Minister of the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, Canterbury.

All the Power of Jesus Name is often called the 'Coronation Hymn'. The basic, constant, proclamation is 'Crown Him Lord of All'. It is simply among the finest in English hymnody.

It made it first appearance in the November, 1779 issue of the Gospel Magazine. Augustus Montague Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages" was the editor of this magazine at that time.

All Hail the Power of Jesus Name Hymn

All Hail The Power of Jesus Name lyrics.

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Friday, 19 June 2015

Caroline Maria Noel (1817-77) is the composer of this popular hymn, 'At the Name of Jesus'. It was originally designated as a processional for Ascension Day and appeared in Mrs Noel's The Name of Jesus and Other Poems of 1870.

This hymn is based on Philippians 2,9. Here is Philippians 2:8-10, 'He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.'

The author was the daughter of an Anglican clergyman. She spent the last 25 years of her life bedridden by a painful and crippling illness and much of her time was spent composing hymns for fellow sufferers.

Before this illness Caroline Maria Noel had tried her hand at composing poems but gave it up. This however changed when she became an invalid as she took advantage of her situation to compose a lot of poems and hymns.

Sunday, 14 June 2015

Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95) is the composer of this extremely popular hymn, There Is A Green Hill Far Away. It draws its inspiration from the Apostles Creed especially the line that goes, 'Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.'

It is generally believed to have been written at the bedside of a sick young person. The writer gives substance and answer to those who inquire why Jesus died. She talks of God's forgiveness.

She speaks of how man can reclaim his original close relationship with God, and suggests the only possible response is the total giving of loving self. The event was for us.

Cecil Frances Alexander, besides being hymn writer was also a poet, and was born in Dublin to Major John Humphreys and his wife Elizabeth (nee Reed).

Below are There is a green hill far away hymn lyrics: -

There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where our dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.

Below is also a video showing the King's College singing this beautiful hymn, there is a green hill far away.

History Behind Dear Lord and Father of Mankind Hymn

The author of this beautiful and well loved hymn, "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind", is John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-92). He was from Massachussetts and wrote poetry and found early inspiration from Robert Burns.

John Greenleaf Whittier - Dear Lord and Father of Mankind Hymn

He spent time as journalist and editor and became Secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society. This hymn was written against the background of boisterous revival meetings of the time.

He was a quaker who believed in worshiping God in silent meditation and deplore the histrionics associated with the Evangelical movement.

He originally wrote this poem as a meditation poem and did not expect this hymn to be sung. It should however be pointed out that he did allow the verses to be used in a hymn book published in 1884.

This hymn has long been regarded as an excellent statement that Christians should learn the virtue of silence and humility before God. From this they will learn what is the will of God.

Saturday, 13 June 2015

When We Walk With The Lord History

This hymn came about from an incident at one of Dwight L Moody's revival meetings in 1887. A young man who had just given his life to the Lord Jesus Christ was reportedly heard saying, 'I am not quite sure - I am going to trust and obey.'

Daniel B Towner- Trust and Obey

The music director of the Moody Bible Institute, Professor Towner, was present at the meeting when these words were uttered. Based on these words, Professor Towner with help of John Sammis, who developed the lyrics , composed the music to this hymn Trust and Obey or When we walk with the Lord.

The words seem so simple but they express the feelings of many Christians. It is not easy to trust and obey but that is what we are all called to do if we are to be happy in Jesus.

This song has remained popular with many Christian singers to this day and it is my hope that you too will be blessed by this simple but powerful Christian song.

When We Walk With the Lord Lyrics

Below are the lyrics of this well known hymn, "

Refrain:Trust and obey, for there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will, He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.RefrainNot a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.RefrainNot a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,But is blessed if we trust and obey.RefrainBut we never can prove the delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,Are for them who will trust and obey.RefrainThen in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.Or we'll walk by His side in the way.What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.Refrain

Will Your Anchor Hold History

The author of this hymn, "Will Your Anchor Hold", is Priscilla Owens. She was born in Baltimore , USA in 1829 of Scottish and Welsh blood. For over 50 years Priscilla Owens was actively involved in work for Christian youths and most of her songs were therefore composed for children.

Besides this hymn she is also well known as the composer of another beloved christian hymn, "We have heard a joyful sound". She also composed several other hymns during her fruitful life on earth.

"Will Your Anchor Hold" was sung outside the door of the dying hymn writer Mary Fawler Maude (Thine For Ever! God of love). She sent her singers the message, "Tell them that it does not fail - it holds."

The hymn suggests that personal stability can only come from the right foundations. It employs a sea faring analogy in making its point.